Alysia Welch- Chester from Trenton NJ became a Political Party Committee Person. After attending one of our classes, Alysia learned about the local political parties and her rights to have a leadership role in the party. Alysia successfully ran to be a committeewoman in her city's Democratic Party and got a powerful position on the party's Rules Committee. Alysia said she received alot of support from the Citizens' Campaign. "Lots of education, information and encourgaement. Knowledge is power. I really felt empowered, and fear disappeared, because I knew I had the right information, I knew what my rights were, so I felt strongly about going ahead and doing what I needed to do" she said.

Mark Carvajal become an Appointed Office holder in his city of Perth Amboy, NJ. Following the arrest and indictment of his long-time Perth Amboy Mayor and Assemblyman, Mark was determined to get involved to stop corruption in his hometown and restore integrity to City Hall.

After attending one of our trainings, knowing that the indicted Mayor was also the local party Chair, Mark decided to apply his knowledge and take his first step. He ran for a local political party committee seat so he could help reform the city party. Mark earned alot of experience and continued to attend public meetings and looked for more leadership opportunities.

People took notice of Mark's activism, particularly the Council President who appointed Mark to the Perth Amboy "Clean and Open Government Committee." The committee was organized to propose reform measures to clean up City Hall. The committee got to work and recommended for adoption several of the Citizens' Campaigns' model government reform laws. On August 12th 2009, Perth Amboy Mayor Diaz embraced 5 of these proposals and signed them into law by executive order!

Barbara Davis became a Citizen Legislator and acted with a group of citizens from Cherry Hill to pass Pay to Play Reform laws in her town, making the government more open and transparent. Barbara Davis had never been more involved in politics, than to vote in elections, send in the occasional Letter to the Editor and complain to others about corruption and unresponsiveness  in government. One of her friends in Cherry Hill invited her to become involved in a Citizens' Reform Committee and then became hooked on opening up her township government to the taxpayers and making it more transparent and honest.  With the help and advice from the Citizens' Campaign, she and a handful of Cherry Hill residents began to attend Council meetings and ask questions and make proposals. They were successful in getting the Town Council to pass five new ordinances, including  the Citizens' Campaigns model Pay to Play reform law.

"This has been a rewarding adventure for me channeling my negative feelings about our institutions and 'public servants' into positive action.  Another benefit has been getting out and meeting my neighbors, finding common ground with those of differing political views and encouraging friends and neighbors to get involved as well," Barbara said.

Wayne Richardson was Appointed to serve on the Newark Planning Board. Newark resident Wayne Richardson attended a Citizens' Campaign Leadership Training Forum in Newark, and took our class in Appointed Office Service. He learned about the power and influence that positions on boards and commissions have in developing public policy in his community, and techniques for gaining an appointment.  

Wayne answered the Call to Service, and decided that he was going to apply for a position on the powerful Newark Planning Board. He received guidance and support from Citizens' Campaign Newark Organizer Shelly Bell and successfully gained appointment to the Newark Planning Board in February. Wayne Richardson is pictured with his Planning Board Appointment Certificate after he was sworn in by Newark Mayor Corey Booker. "The Citizens' Campaign, through Shelly Bell and her hard work, can take a lot of credit for my appointment" said Wayne. If you would like to answer the Jersey Call to Service, please fill out our online form.

Grace Shackney made a Constructive Proposal to the Borough Council which launched a Call to Service in her hometown of Metuchen, NJ. Grace Shackney says she launched a Call to Service in Metuchen because she loves Metuchen. "There are so many people who want to do things," she said. Grace, a long time Metuchen resident and activist, and a former Artistic Administration Director at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton, decided that working at the Citizens' Campaign as a volunteer would be a great use of her time, helping to create fresh new leadership for New Jersey. She proposed the Call to Service Resolution to the Metuchen Council, who agreed that it would be good for Metuchen to call its citizens to service. She was able to post the information about the Summit in the local Metuchen Matters Blog, in the local papers, was interviewed by the Home News Tribune and got the local cable station to tape the event. "Making residents aware that their participation is encouraged and educating them about ways to participate, makes Metuchen a place where interesting ideas can emerge, and problems can be addressed which effects our quality of life and gives us this great place to live," she said

Joe Zaccardo became an Appointed Office Holder in Monmouth County. Joe Answered the Call to Service. He learned about the Citizens' Campaign from an email forwarded by a friend. He was intrigued by the information he received, about the opportunity to learn how to participate in the leadership of his community. Its something he always wanted to do, but didn't really know how to begin. He visited the Citizens' Campaign on the web, and educated himself about how to pursue appointed office using the online class in Appointed Office Service. When he was ready to apply for a board position, he called the Citizens' Campaign office and got free support and guidance in how to effectively proceed. Today he is an appointed office holder in Monmouth County. "I called and they gave me advice as to how to go about the first steps in getting a position. I followed the directions of the Citizens' Campaign and the rest was very easy" Joe said.